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Strong Northern Ireland business delegation in China

A 35-strong Invest Northern Ireland trade mission will be in China from 23 November to 3 December to pursue opportunities for trade, technology transfer and partnerships with local companies.

The delegation, among the biggest-ever from Northern Ireland, will be visiting Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Shanghai, and comprises 34 companies and the University of Ulster.

The mission is being assisted by commercial staff at British consulates in China and Invest NI’s own team based in Shanghai. Each of the participating companies has a schedule of pre-arranged meetings with Chinese businesses.

Ten companies in the delegation are visiting China for the first time with an Invest NI trade mission. They include Biocolor, a Newtownabbey developer of diagnostic chemicals, Daly Golf, a supplier of golf equipment, Grafton, one of the leading UK staff recruitment businesses, DSV Campbell Freight, a shipping company; HMC Global, a specialist in sales outsourcing, MacNabb Bros, a supplier of waste products for recycling, Omiino, a developer of silicon technology for telecommunications networks, Rutledge Joblink, a recruitment and training agency, Urban Forest, an animal bedding manufacturer, and Watts and Stone, a supplier of equestrian and water sports equipment.

In addition to trade and business partnerships several companies in the delegation are visiting China to explore opportunities for the manufacture of a range of components and products, including clothing and precision engineered parts.

Among the companies which have established business in China are Andor Technology, Belfast, which has an office in Beijing, Alpha Environmental, Coleraine which has carried out pollution clean-up projects, and Fast Engineering, Antrim, a supplier of pollution clean up equipment for use in combating oil spills.

The University of Ulster has also developed partnerships with leading Chinese universities on technology exchanges.

Alan Hingston, Invest NI’s Trade Director, commenting on the delegation, said: “The size of this mission indicates that China, because of the extent of the business opportunities offered in the world’s biggest and most dynamic market, continues to be the most popular market for our companies. We organise two missions to China annually and both are among our most successful.

“Over the years, we’ve introduced many smaller companies to the vast Chinese marketplace and most have secured business there because of the quality of their products or services, and their focus on servicing the specific requirements of customers in Hong Kong and other parts of China.

“The high level of interest in China shown by our companies encouraged us to set up an office and a dedicated business adviser in Shanghai. We also continue to work closely with and to benefit from the experience of commercial staff in Hong Kong and other centres across the country.”

The delegation will be in Hong Kong, from 23-26 November; Guangzhou, from 26-29 November; and in Shanghai from 29 November to 3 December.

The Northern Ireland business delegation to China 23 November – 3 December 2008: